My friend is a very dedicated member of his religious group, and he talks to me all the time about the way so-called Christians have twisted the Bible over the centuries and made it say things it doesn't really say. How can I know if he's telling the truth? I've never thought about God before. — L.R.

I'm thankful for your new interest in God - and I hope you won't ever lose it. God loves you and wants you to come to know Him as your friend in a deeply personal way. And this can be your experience, as you open your heart and life to Jesus Christ.

At the same time, I also hope you won't be misled, and end up taking the wrong road (spiritually speaking). Not every road leads to God, no matter how sincere someone may be who is traveling it. For 20 centuries Christians have had the Bible, and have studied it carefully and thoughtfully - and prayerfully. Does it make sense to believe they all got it wrong, and God has only revealed the truth to a few recently? No, it doesn't make sense - and you shouldn't be misled into thinking it does.

The key is to realize who Jesus Christ was, and what He did for you and me. The Bible makes it clear that He was the divine Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Through His death on the cross He paid the price for all our sins.

This is why the Bible says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Trust Christ alone for your salvation today, and then ask Him to lead you to a church where you can hear His Word and grow in your relationship to God.